A6

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: February 03, 1998

Author/Local: GLougheed/7721

CC File No.: 5311

TO: Vancouver City Council

FROM: Director of Land Use and Development

SUBJECT: Strata Title Conversion - 2201 Burrard Street

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the application to convert the previously-occupied building at 2201 Burrard Street (Lot H, Block 187, D.L. 526, Plan 21532) to strata title ownership be approved in principle, but that pursuant to Section 9(1) of the Condominium Act, the Certificate of Approval (Form 10) shall not be issued unless the following condition has been met within one year of the date of this approval:

Completion of all work now underway, to the satisfaction of the City Building Inspector and in accordance with the approved plans and permits, at no cost to the City, and issuance of an Occupancy Permit, in order that this previously-occupied building substantially complies with all relevant City by-laws.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council Policy is reflected in the City’s Strata Title and Cooperative Conversion Guidelines, which outline factors which Council will consider in reviewing applications for converting previously-occupied buildings to strata title or cooperative ownership.

PURPOSE

Council approval is required for an application to convert the previously-occupied building at 2201 Burrard Street (Lot H, Block 187, D.L. 526, Plan 21532) to strata title ownership.

BACKGROUND

The site is zoned C-3A and is developed with a three-storey office building, originally constructed in 1956. The south portion of this building, added to the original structure in 1966, has been demolished pursuant to Building Permit No. BU404008. The site is also being developed with two new buildings (7 storeys and 3 storeys). The building complex will consist of a mix of commercial and residential uses.

The applicant proposes to create a total of 142 strata lots. Pursuant to Section 9 of the Condominium Act, Council approval is required only as it relates to the 41 commercial strata lots proposed in the "previously-occupied" office building.

Pursuant to Development Permit No. DE400205 (plus related Minor Amendments) and Building Permit No. BU404283, the existing three-storey office building is undergoing extensive alterations, and will contain ground floor retail uses with office uses on the second and third floors.

The current owners took vacant possession of this property when it was acquired in October, 1995. The office building was formerly occupied by the B.C. Teachers Federation. It has never been used for habitable accommodation.

The site location is shown below in Figure 1.

Figure 1

STAFF ANALYSIS

In addition to Planning Department staff, the City Engineer and the City Building Inspector have reviewed this application. As the building has never contained residential accommodation, the Manager of the Housing Centre has not been asked to comment.

The City Engineer reports that there are no dedication or servicing requirements for this site. The City Engineer advises, however, that the building encroaches onto Burrard Street. Registration of a volumetric easement to contain the encroachment will be required prior to the strata plan being registered in the Land Title Office. This requirement will be addressed in a concurrent report to Council from the City Engineer. The City Engineer has indicated support for the volumetric easement.

The City Building Inspector reports that when all work has been completed in accordance with approved plans and permits, and an Occupancy Permit has been issued, the previously-occupied building will substantially comply with all relevant City by-laws.

CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, and on the applicant’s compliance with the City’s Strata Title and Cooperative Conversion Guidelines, the Director of Land Use and Development supports this application.

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(c) 1997 City of Vancouver